Newcastle fans want Ashley to spend the £35million from the sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool in January.

Pardew is aiming to strengthen his squad in every position. He is resigned to losing Spanish left back Jose Enrique but determined to keep Joey Barton, Pardew said: 'Mike came and we talked about certain players and values and the strategy and how the summer scouting is going to progress.

'I felt buoyed by the meeting. Now it's about recruitment. It's quite obv ious we can't compete with the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and the top four.

'We want to try to excel. We have to take a few chances with players who will keep us in the division and who might take us to that next level.